Malaria Hyperendemicity: The Burden and Obstacles to Eradication in Nigeria

Malaria deaths and cases have been common among people living in tropical climatic countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Mali, etc. Malaria is one of the leading causes of deaths in Nigeria and every person in Nigeria experiences at least three episodes of malaria sickness every year. Many efforts in the past to reduce malaria incidence and burden to patients have not proven successful as resistant strains of mosquitos emerge. Malaria incidence in Nigeria has risen to a hyper-endemic level over some decades whereas countries like Algeria, Morocco and Argentina etc. have controlled and eradicated malaria by following international intervention programs by the World Health Organization and similar agencies. Malaria is of public health concern in Nigeria. Through a review of literature and lived experiences, the author identified and discussed the political and biosocial contexts: ecological, economic, communication, and infrastructural conditions that pose challenge to eradication programs. Recommendations were made to set up surveillance and monitoring system, restructuring the funding and management system, improving community partnership, and promoting health education.

Glycophorin variants and contents of sialic acid and total sulfhydryl groups on erythrocyte membranes of residents in a malaria hyperendemic area

Abstract Objective To conduct a screening survey of glycophorin (GP) variants and observe the content changes of sialic acid (SA) and total sulfhydryl (SH) groups on the erythrocyte membranes among residents in a tertian malaria hyperendemic area of Guizhou Province. Methods GP variants were detected in the erythrocyte hemolysates of 173 local residents at two villages of Libo County by SDS PAGE on 10% to 15% gradients gel and Western immunoblotting. Their SA and total SH group contents were estimated in erythrocyte membranes by spectrophotometric methods. 114 healthy subjects in Changsha and 49 individuals at a neighbouring village of the above area showing low morbidity of malaria served as normal and endemic controls respectively. Results Three distinct types of GP variants were found among 19 propositi in this hyperendemic area. The incidence of GP variants was 7.9% (8/101) at Yaolu Village whose population was mainly composed of Yao ethnic group;while that of Buyi ethnic group at Maolan Village was higher (15.3%; 11/72).The erythrocyte membrane contents of SA in residents at both villages exhibited a very significant tendency of decline (P<0.01), whereas those of total SH groups increased prominently in residents of Yaolu Village only (P<0.05). Conclusions The frequency of GP variants in this hyperendemic area does not depend upon the severity of malarial prevalence. The evident reduction of SA contents in the residents may be related to the breaking down of the SA residues on membrane GPs by the invasion of Plasmodium vivax.

Prevalence,intensity of infection and risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis in preschool and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area,Nigeria

Objective:To determine the prevalence and intensity of infection and the risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis in pre—school and school aged children in Cuma Local Government Area of Benue State,Nigeria.Methods:Urine filtration technique using polycarbonate membrane filters was employed to process urine specimens and to determine presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine.Questionnaires were also administered to children to collect information on socio-demographic data and water-contact activities.Results:An overall prevalence of 55.0%(165/300)was recorded out of the 300 urine samples examined.Prevalence of infection varied between 36.0%-64.0%with a significant difference(X^2=11.59,P=0.041)between the different communities visited.Males were more infected(60.6%,103/170)than females(47.7%,62/130)with a significant difference(X^2=4.95,P=0.026).The age-related prevalence showed higher prevalence(70.5%,36/52)in the 11-15 year old children than that in the 1-5 year old ones(44.9%,53/118).A significant difference was observed in the prevalence between the age groups(X^2=10.56,P=0.014).The prevalence of light intensity of infection(1-49 eggs/10 mL of urine)(86.6%)was significantly higher than that of heavy intensity of infection(5=50 eggs/10 mL of urine)(13.3%)in the area(t=16.48,P=0.000).Water contact activities of the children revealed that children that were involved in irrigation and those that went swimming in water bodies were observed to be at higher risk of becoming infected with urinary schistosomiasis in the area with odd ratios(risk factors)of 2.756(1.334-5.693)and 2.366(1.131-4.948)respectively at P<0.05 level.Conclusions:The study revealed the hyperendemicily of urinary schistosomiasis in the preschool and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area.It is therefore recommended that praziquantel should be administered to children in the area and systematic epidemiological studies should be undertaken in the whole Local Government Area and the State at large to discover new foci of infection.